Sandbox VR, an “immersive virtual reality experience,” intends to open in St. Johns Town Center between Nordstrom and Dillard’s.
The city is reviewing a permit application for Sandbox VR to renovate 4,517 square feet at 10275 Buckhead Branch Drive, No. 119, at an estimated cost of $450,000.
Sandbox VR’s space was a nail bar behind Garage, MAC Cosmetics and Chanel Fragrance and Beauty. It is opposite Lilly Pulitzer on Buckhead Branch Drive.
Based in Pleasanton, California, and operated as a franchise, Sandbox VR shows 77 locations worldwide on its website. The 45 U.S. locations in 20 states include three in Florida in Fort Myers, Orlando and St. Petersburg. Among more coming soon in the United States are one each in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
The locations include virtual reality rooms and space for birthday parties, corporate events, team building and social gatherings.
“Sandbox is a futuristic VR experience for groups of up to six where you can see and physically interact with everyone inside, just like the real world,” according to sandboxvr.com. “Inspired by Star Trek’s holodeck, our exclusive worlds let you feel like you’re living inside a game or movie, and are built by EA, Sony and Ubisoft veterans. See why Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Kevin Durant and Will Smith support us. In here, it’s possible.”
Holedecks are holographic simulation rooms. Best-seller experiences, called “full-body VR with friends,” include Deadwood Phobia and Squid Game Virtuals. A new offering is Stranger Things: Catalyst. The company calls The Age of Dinosaurs “great for families.”
Other games include Amber Sky 2088; Curse of Davy Jones; Deadwood Mansion; Deadwood Valley; Rebel Moon: The Descent; Seekers of the Shard: Dragonfire; and Unbound Fighting League.
Sandbox VR calls the experience “the closest thing to the ‘holodeck’ that exists.”
As an example of the scenarios, Sandbox VR says Curse of Davy Jones involves a hunt for lost treasure and a “battle on the high seas against a variety of spooky supernatural creatures.”
“We combine motion capture with the latest in VR hardware to create the best VR experience on the planet,” according to Sandbox VR. “It’s very different from VR experiences you might have tried at home or at other places. That makes it a real challenge to explain. The only way to truly understand it is to try it for yourself.”
A minimum of two and up to six guests play together, although private events can be booked for larger groups. Prices for each experience are $50 per person Monday through 4 p.m. Friday, and $55 from 4 p.m. to closing Friday through Sunday. The Orlando Sandbox VR is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Events typically take about an hour and include arrival time, about 10 minutes to gear up and complete a tutorial, game play of 30 minutes and 10 minutes to de-gear and watch video highlights of the participating teams.
Sandbox VR says it includes with each package videos showing teams during gameplay. Staff also can take pictures and record extra videos during sessions.
Sandbox VR recommends booking reservations in advance, although walk-ins are accepted if availability allows. Payment is only by credit card.
The Jacksonville plans show 2,076 square feet for the experience area, including four “holodecks,” 1,905 square feet for the lobby and waiting area, and 537 square feet for restrooms and storage. Frederick J. Goglia of St. Louis is the architect.
Landlord Simon Property Group has at least two more experiential tenants at St. Johns Town Center Game Show Battle Rooms and The Escape Game.